‘All it takes is a split second’

Gardaí and IFA in road safety campaign

Cavan Monaghan and Louth Garda Division officially launched ‘Operation Guide’ this week - an enhanced road safety campaign that will run from July 8 to August 31.

The aim of the initiative, which is being run in conjunction with IFA, RSA and local authorities, is to increase driver awareness; enhance the visibility of Roads Policing Units throughout counties Cavan, Monaghan and Louth; save lives; and reduce serious injury collisions by promoting responsible driving behaviour.

“This is about creating awareness among people using the roads,” Chief Superintendent Alan McGovern told The Anglo-Celt on Monday at Clarke’s Farm Machinery, New Inn where the Operation was launched.

“We are working with the IFA in relation to young people driving farm machinery on and off the farm.

“We are going into a second cut now in relation to silage season and we just want to create awareness around all of this on the roads.

“We are asking motorists to plan the journey ahead; there is a lot of technology in cars now and that causes driver distraction so we want people to concentrate and to think of themselves and other road users.”

Chief Supt McGovern highlighted the main driver distractions, which he says include the use of mobile phones, tending to other passengers in the car such as children, and lack of concentration.

“All it takes,” he added, ”is a split second”.

“Last year, we had an average of 15 fatalities on the roads every month but, in August, we had 26. That is a bigger number and it’s the reason why we are targeting July and August now.

“This campaign is not about catching people out or giving out fines, this is about safety on the roads and creating the awareness that is needed to achieve that.

“An Garda Síochána needs road users and members of the public to help us to help them stay safe.”

As of last Monday, the day the campaign was launched, there had been 99 fatalities recorded on the country’s roads so far this year.

The chief says the force remains hopeful this latest road safety campaign will help to reduce that number and minimise serious injury on Irish roads.

“What is happening on our roads has a devastating impact on families and communities across Ireland,” continued Chief Supt McGovern before adding that An Garda Síochána is appealing to parents to exercise vigilance and caution when young people are driving cars, tractors and all the other machines that can be brought onto the roads.

“It’s every parent’s nightmare if something happens to their child.”

Sean Colleran, Regional Chief Superintendent for the North West, added: “No matter how careful you are, nobody knows what’s around the corner. There are a lot of collisions that can be avoided but the message cannot get out loudly enough that every road user has to take care. They need to be aware of all the challenges that are out there.”

Irwin Heaslip is the sales and product support manager at Clarkes Machinery in New Inn. He told the Celt that the company was first established over 40 years ago and, in the intervening years, “there has been a massive change and farm machinery is getting bigger and more sophisticated all the time.”

“This campaign is a very important one,” he continued. “When the weather dries up, every farm contractor is busy; they in turn entrust their employees, the young fellas, to have their full concentration both in front of them and behind them when they are driving tractors and farm machinery.

“This road safety campaign is also focused on helping young drivers to become more aware of the importance of concentrating when driving. We hope this campaign is successful; the risks on our roads are there for all to see and there is a lot at stake. Unfortunately, nearly every family has been either directly or indirectly impacted by a farm accident so awareness really is key to moving forward.”

Barry Carey, IFA added: “At this time of the year, there are high-energy agricultural activities going on and we know there are drivers out there who will become frustrated with those who are driving farm machinery.

“What we are asking for is that everybody exercises caution and care on the roads. We want all road users to become more mindful and respectful of others. We also want people to exercise some patience when they are using the roads because it too is a working environment.

“IFA has consistently highlighted the real dangers that are there for younger members of the family who use farm machinery on the roads. We have to be mindful all the time of this and discourage - when required - any use of this type of machinery on our roads.”

Elizabeth Tilson, IFA Farm Family rep in County Cavan then highlighted the organisation’s Farm Safety Week, which kicks off in two weeks' time.

“We hope that this will also remind people about the dangers that are out there with machinery and using tractors, etc on public roads,” she said.

“We want people to become mindful of the fact that, when they go round a bend, they don’t know what they are going to meet, especially on our by-roads. We also need to educate children from a very young age about the dangers of using a mobile phone while driving.”